Chilterns New Shoots

• Spend lots of time outdoors – great for wellbeing and mental health
• Visit some of the best nature reserves and most beautiful spots in the Chiltern hills
• Get up close and personal with some amazing wildlife
• Learn from wildlife and plant experts
• Have fun, make new friends and try new things
• Get to use top equipment – such as high quality binoculars
• No pressure – no tests or exams!
• Find out what’s involved in wildlife and habitat management, get stuck in and try your hand at practical conservation
• Could be a stepping stone to a career in conservation, and an introduction to local conservation groups and charities
• It’s free to take part! All equipment is provided and you’ll even be given a cosy New Shoots fleece to keep you warm when you’re out and about.

• Learn to identify wildlife & plantlife: butterflies and birds, insects and plants.
  • Imagine searching the skies for birds and watching butterflies and insects flit about in the wildflowers on a sunny day – have a go at keeping track of numbers and diversity- a good way to tell how healthy the environment is.
• Get hands on!
  • Have a go at scrub bashing and woodland management (clearing plants and trees to keep chalk grassland and woodlands in great condition).
  • Get your waders on and learn about chalk streams and how to look after them.
• Visit and understand different Chilterns habitats:
  • The Chilterns has lots of really special habitats, such as chalk grassland covered in wildflowers, ancient woodland, farmland and chalk streams, and you’ll get to visit all of these in the course of your year as a Chilterns New Shoot.

Young people who:

• are aged 14 – 20,
• love being outdoors and want to explore the Chilterns countryside,
• are interested in nature, wildlife or climate change and keen to learn more,
• are happy to get involved for a year and can commit to taking part in most of the 10 project sessions.

In previous years, lots of different kinds of young people have taken part. Young people don’t have to be ‘super confident’ to take part, but lots of people said their confidence got a big boost from being a part of the project. We welcome young people from any background and experience level as long as they show a genuine interest in wildlife and nature and can commit to the sessions.

Practical information

Sessions take place between July ’23 – March ’24, roughly each month on Saturdays, usually for 4 hours.

Each session will be at a different site, within 10 miles of High Wycombe. Minibus transport can be provided from the Chiltern Rangers depot in High Wycombe HP11. It’s free to take part.

You’ll need warm clothes and waterproofs, but we can support you with these if needed so please don’t let this stop you from applying. All the equipment you’ll need for the sessions is provided and you’ll even be given a cosy New Shoots fleece to keep you warm when you’re out and about.